VILLA RICA, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Villa Rica police arrested a mother for child cruelty and reckless conduct after she allegedly left her child inside a car in the Publix parking lot.
Officers arrived at the Publix store on Mirror Lake Blvd. and found a 4-month-old child inside the car with the windows rolled down about 1 inch.
Officers began working to unlock the vehicle's door and began a search for the mother Dorothy Elizabeth Swanson, according to reports.
The outside temperature at the time was 77 degrees, according to an officer on scene.
Witnesses stated that the child had been left in the vehicle for approximately 30 minutes.
Swanson told officers that she had gone to the pharmacy and did not hear Publix paging her.
The child was turned over to Division of Family and Children Services, and then returned to the father.
Swanson was charged with cruelty to children, reckless conduct, driving on a suspended license and possession of drug related object.
Captain Keith Shaddix said "It is never acceptable to leave a child in a vehicle unattended in a vehicle whether it is running or not. We are fortunate that this incident did not result in serious injuries. Anyone who sees a child left unattended in a vehicle should contact 911."
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